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Acts 

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Particular  STrnod 

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in  the  Year  1811 


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ACTS 

OF    TH£ 

PARTICULAR  SYNOD 

OF  NEW-YORK, 
IJV  THE   YEAR  1811. 


I 

GEORGE    FORMAN,   PRINTER,   178  GREENWICH-STREET. 


«^ 


Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  cause  One 
Hundred  Copies  of  the  Acts  of  this  Synod  to  be 
printed^  and  distributed  proportionally  among  the 
respective  Classes  belonging  to  this  Body. 


-^^^ 


1  HE  Particular  Synod  of  New- York, 
met  according  to  adjournment,  in  the  city  of  New- 
York,  on  Tuesday  the  7th  day  of  May,  1811. 

FORMATION  OF  THE  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE    1. 

OPENING  OF  THE  SYNOD. 

The  President  of  the  last  ordinary  session  being 
absent,  the  Synod  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the 
Vice-President. 

ARTICLE    2. 

MEMBERS  PRESENT. 
From  the  credentials  produced,  it  appeared  that 
the  following  persons  were  duly  delegated  as  mem- 
bers, and  took  their  seats  accordingly. 

FROM  THE  CLASSIS  OF  NEW-YORK. 

Rev.  Peter  Loxue,  Rev.  Johti  Sehureman. 

ELDERS. 

Elias  Hubbard,  Anthony  Post. 

FROM  THE  CLASSIS  OF  BERGEN. 

Rev.  John  Duryea,  Rev.  Peter  Stryker. 

FROM  THE  CLASSIS  OF  PARAMUS. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Lansing,    Rev.  Wilhelmus  Ehi?ige, 

ELDERS. 

Abraham  P.  Blauvelt,       Jacob  JBanta. 


4 
FROM  THE  CLASSIS  OF  BRUNSWICK. 

Rev.  Dr.  Ira  Condict,    Rev.  Cornelius  T.  Demarest, 

ELDERS. 

Peter  FoorheeSy  Cornelius  Messier, 

FROM  THE  CLASSIS  OF  POUGHKEEPSIE. 

Rev.  Cornelius  Z).  Westhrook^ 
Rev.  Andrew  JV.  Kittle, 

ELDERS. 

Cornelius  R,  Van  JFyck,     Shibboleth  Bogardiis, 

ARTICLE    3. 

MODERATORS. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Schureman  was  chosen  President, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Lowe,  Vice-President ;  and  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Kittle  and  EUinge,  Clerks. 

ARTICLE    4. 

DELEGATES  FROM  THE  PARTICULAR 

SYNOD  OF  ALBANY. 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  Jacob  Sickles  and  John  Gos- 
man,  with  the  Elder,  Mr.  Abraham  Hoffman,  were 
received  as  corresponding  members  from  the  Synod 
of  Albany. 

ARTICLE    5. 

ADVISORY  MEMBERS. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers,  and  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Bork,  Rowan,  Brodhead,  Corneli- 
son,  Van  Pelt,  and  Hardenbergh,  were  received  as 
advisory  members. 

The  following  question  was  decided  in  the  nega- 
tive : 


5 
Have  the  advisory  members  a  right  to  speak  on 
the  resolutions  before  Synod,  without  being  asked 
by  the  chair  ? 

ARTICLE    6. 

READING  OF  MINUTES. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  ordinary  session  of  tiiis 
Synod  were  read,  together  with  the  minutes  of  the 
last  Synod  of  Albany. 

ACTS  OF  THE  SYNOD. 

ARTICLE     1. 

ORDERS  AND  RULES. 

These  were  read. 
STANDING  COMMITTEES. 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  Stryker  and  Eltinge,  w^ith  the 
Elder,  Mr.  Post,  were  appointed  a  committee  on 
the  professorate. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Lowe  and  Kittle,  with  the  El- 
der, Mr.  Hubbard,  were  appointed  a  committee  on 
prevailing  sins. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Lansing  and  Westbrook,  with 
the  Elder,  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee on  missions. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock,  p.  m.  Closed  with  prayer. 
Tuesday,  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 
Opened  with  prayer. 

ARTICLE    2. 

GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Under  this  lemma,  nothing  occurred. 


p. 


ARTICLE    3. 

SYNOD  OF  ALBANY. 

Information  being  received  from  the  correspond- 
ing members  of  the  Synod  of  Albany,  with  regard 
to  the  distressed  state  of  the  Rev.  Petrus  Van  Vlier- 
den,  Synod  resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to 
he  several  consistories  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this 
body,  to  make  a  collection  in  behalf  of  said  brother, 
and  forward  the  same  to  CoL  Bruyn,  of  Kingston, 
for  that  purpose. 

ARTICLE    4. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  committee  on  this  lemma  reported.  That  in 
consequence  of  the  unsettled  state  of  Europe,  the 
correspondence  with  the  Synod  of  North  Holland, 
continued  to  be  interrupted. 

ARTICLE    5. 

CLASSICAL  REPORTS. 

The  Classis  of  New- York  reported  as  follows  : 

The  North-West  Church  has  230  members  in 
full   communion,    and    125   catechumens. 

The  Church  of  Greenwich  has  78  families.  To- 
tal of  the  congregation,  352.  Members  received 
since  the  last  report  on  confession  of  their  faith,  12  ; 
by  certificate,  6  ;  dismissed,  2.  Total  now  in  com- 
munion,  73 — 2  adults   and  8  infants  baptized. 

The  Church  of  Bloomingdale  has  received  one 
member  into  full  communion  since  the  last  report. 
Total  now  in  communion,  24.  No  adults  and  12 
infants  baptized. 


7 
The  Church  of  Courtland-Town,  has  received, 
during  the  last  year,   12  members.     Total  now  in 
communion,  34.     No  adults  and  12   infants  bap- 
tized. 

The  Church  of  Flatbush  has  124  families.  To- 
tal of  the  congregation,  1159.  Received  on  con- 
fession since  the  last  report,  7  ;  died,  3.  Total 
now  in  communion,  90.  No  adults  and  17  infants 
baptized. 

The  Church  of  Flatlands  has  62  families.  Total 
of  the  congregation,  520.  Received  on  confession 
since  the  last  report,  5  ;  died,  2.  Total  now  in 
communion,  46 — 1  adult  and  tv/o  infants  baptized. 
The  Church  of  Newtown  has  79  families.  Total 
of  the  congregation,  427.  Received  on  confession 
since  the  last  report,  4.  Total  now  in  commu- 
nion, 76. 

The  Church  of  Jamaica  has  107  families.  Total 
of  the  congregation,  513.  Total  number  of  com- 
municants, 56  ;  died,   1 — 1  adult  baptized. 

The  Church  of  Success  has  54  families.  Total 
of  the  congregation,  254.  Received  on  confession 
since  the  last  report,  3.  Total  now  in  communion, 
49 — 2  adults  and  10  infants  baptized. 

The  Church  of  Oyster-Bay  has  66  families.  To- 
tal of  the  congregation,  313.  Received  on  confes- 
sion since  the  last  report,  3.  Total  now  in  commu- 
nion,  50.     No  adults  and  20  infants  baptized. 

The  Churches  of  New- York,  Haerlem,  Ford- 
ham,  Tarry-Town,  Staten-Island,  Brooklyn,  New- 
Utrecht,  Gravesend,  and  Bushwick,  submitted  no 
statistical  tables. 


8 
The  Classis  farther  reported, 

1.  That  the  Gospel  is  preached  in  its  purity ; 
the  Heidelbergh  Catechism  regularly  explained  ; 
Church  discipline  faithfully  exercised  ;  the  youth 
catechised  and  instructed  in  the  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion. 

2.  That  the  candidate,  Mr.  Abraham  Hoffman, 
had  been  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  Word, 
and  installed  Pastor  of  the  Congregation  of  Court- 
land- Town. 

3.  That  they  have  two  candidates  under  their 
care,  viz.  Messrs.  Gilbert  R.  Livingston  and  John 
Hendricks. 

4.  And  that  although  they  know  of  no  special  ef- 
fusion of  the  Spirit  of  God  on  our  Churches,  yet 
the  external  attention  to  divine  ordinances  is  in- 
creasing ;  and  therefore  have  reason  to  hope,  that 
while  the  means  of  grace  are  attended  to,  sinners 
will  obtain  the  end  of  their  faith,  even  the  salvation 
of  their  souls. 

5.  That  they  have  enjoined  it  on  those  consisto- 
ries which  have  not  presented  their  annual  reports, 
to  prepare  one  by  the  next  meeting  of  the  Classis 
in  April,   1812. 

The  Classis  of  Bergen  reported, 

1.  That  with  regard  to  the  injunction  of  General 
Synod,  on  the  subject  of  a  statistical  account  of  the 
churches  within  their  bounds,  having  come  to  hand 
through  the  medium  of  the  Particular  Synod  at  so 
late  a  date,  it  was  impossible  to  carry  it  into  effect 
before  the  present  meeting ;  and  since  another  stated 


9 
meeting  of  the  Particular  Synod,  and  also  of  the 
Classis,  will  occur  before  that  of  the  General  Synod, 
it  was  earnestly  enjoined  on  the  several  congrega- 
tions belonging  to  this  Classis,  to  have  said  tables 
prepared  at  the  next  ordinary  meeting. 

2.  That  they  have  installed  the  Rev.  Peter  Stry- 
ker  Pastor  of  the  congregations  of  Belleville,  and 
Stone-House  Plains. 

3.  That  they  have  at  present  five  vacancies  with- 
in their  bounds,  viz.  Preakness,  Boontown,  Pomp- 
ton,  Ponds,  and  Fairfield  ;  and  one  Minister  with- 
out a  charge — the  Rev.  John  Duryea. 

4.  That  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  are  preach- 
ed ;  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism  explained  ;  orders 
and  morals  attended  to  ;  and  that  the  word  and  or- 
dinances, though  faithfully  administered,  are  not 
accompanied  with  that  practice  and  experience  of 
religion  they  could  wish,  for  the  prosperity  of  our 
Zion. 

The  Classis  of  Paramus  reported  as  follows : 
The  Church  of  Hackensack  has  100  families. — 
Total  of  the  congregation,  459.  Members  receiv- 
ed on  confession  of  their  faith,  2  ;  by  certificate,  1 ; 
suspended,  none  ;  died  2.  Total  now  in  commu- 
nion, 144 — 1  adult  and  27  infants  baptized.  Vital 
religion  not  so  lively  as  formerly,  but  considerably 
conspicuous. 

The  Church  of  Chralcnburgh  has  117  families. 
Total  of  the  congregation,  548.  Members  receiv- 
ed on  confession  of  their  faith,  1  ;  by  certificate,  11 ; 
dismissed,  3  ;  suspended,  4  ;  excommunicated,  2  ; 

R 


10 
died,  8.      Total  now  in  communion,    163.      No 
adults,  and  19  infants  baptized.     Vital  religion  not 
so  lively  as  formerly,  but  still  considerably  attend- 
ed to. 

The  Church  of  Aquackenunck  has  192  families. 
Total  of  the  congregation,  1062.  No  members  re- 
ceived, dismissed,  nor  died,  since  the  last  report ; 
but  2  suspended.  Total  now  in  communion,  94. 
No  adults,  and  52  infants  baptized. 

The  Church  of  Tappan  has  172  families.  Total 
of  the  congregation,  801.  Members  received  on 
confession  of  their  faith,  6;  by  certificate,  2  ;  dis- 
missed, 6  ;  suspended,  none  ;  died,  3.  Total  now 
in  communion,  234 — 1  adult,  and  42  infants  baptiz- 
ed. They  have  reason  to  be  thankful  that  their 
flock  continues  under  the  droppings  of  the  sanc- 
tuary. 

The  Church  of  Ramapough  has  150  families. — 
Total  of  the  congregation,  837.  Members  receiv- 
ed on  confession  of  their  faith,  3  ;  by  certificate,  3  ; 
dismissed  and  suspended,  none  ;  died,  2.  Total 
now  in  communion,  69 — No  adults,  and  39  infants 
baptized.  Vital  religion  appears  in  a  languid  state  : 
luke-warmness  and  indifference  to  the  things  that 
appertain  to  their  eternal  peace,  seem  to  have  spread 
their  baneful  influence  over  the  minds  of  sinners, 
and  even  the  generality  of  professors,  whose  walk 
and  conversation  favours  too  much  the  course  of 
this  world.  Yet  amidst  these  deplorable  circum- 
stances, we  have  cause  of  gratitude,  that  a  small 
remnant  is  left,  who  exhibit  good  evidences  of  the 


11 

power  of  godliness  on  their  minds,  and  whose  con- 
versation savours  the  things  of  God. 

The  Church  at  Paramus  stated,  that,  at  the  time 
of  the  settlement  of  our  present  Minister  (1799) 
there  were  165  members  in  full  communion,  of  which 
42  have  died,  3  dismissed,  and  2  suspended.  That 
during  his  twelve  years  residence,  397  members  have 
been  received  into  the  church  ;  65  adults  baptized  ; 
of  which  number  13  have  died,  45dismissed,  and  22 
suspended;  12  for  heresy,  and  10  for  mal-conduct. 
The  church  at  present  has  300  families.  Total  of 
the  congregation,  2000.  Members  received  on 
confession  of  their  faith,  12 ;  by  certificate,  2  ;  dis- 
missed, 6  ;  suspended,  3  ;  died,  4.  Total  now  in 
communion,  431 — 2  adults  and  50  infants  baptized. 

The  Consistory,  although  earnestly  desirous  to 
be  blessed  with  times  of  more  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord,  yet  are  sensible  that  they 
ought  not  to  despise  the  day  of  small  things  ;  be- 
cause, though  the  shower  has  passed  over,  their  So- 
ciety still  continues  under  the  droppings  of  the 
Spirit. 

From  the  Churches  of  Kakejat,  Totawa,  and 
Warwick,  no  statistical  accounts  were  received. 

The  Classis  further  reported, 

1.  That  they  have  installed  the  Rev.  James  De- 
marest  Pastor  of  the  congregations  of  Ramapough, 
and  West  New-Hempstead. 

2.  That  they  have  dismissed  the  candidate,  Mr. 
Abraham  Hoffman,  upon  his  having  accepted  a  call 
from  the  church  of  Courtland-Town,  and  removed 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Classis  of  New- York. 


12 

3.  That  they  have -at  present  under  their  care  one 
vacant  congregation,  viz.  Warwick  ;  one  candidate, 
Mr.  Samuel  Bogert;  and  one  minister  without  a 
charge,  namely,  the  Rev.  John  Demarest. 

4.  That  the  Gospel  is  preached  in  its  purity  ;  the 
Heidelbergh  catechism  explained ;  the  youth  in- 
structed ;  family  visitation  performed  ;  discipline 
generally  attended  to  ;  and  that  most  of  their  con- 
gregations continue  under  the  droppings  of  the 
Spirit. 

The  Classis  of  New-Brunswick  reported, 

1.  That  there  are  at  present  seven  vacant  congre- 
gations within  their  bounds,  viz.  Hillsborough, 
Smithfield,  Walpeck,  Minising,  Mehakkamack, 
Clove,  and  Canawago  ;  and  three  ministers  without 
pastoral  charges,  viz.  Rev.  Messrs.  Van  Bunscoten, 
Van  Harlingen,  and  Van  Nest. 

2.  That  the  Rev.  John  L.  Zabriskie  has  accepted  ♦ 
a  call  from  the  congregation  of  Hillsborough,  but 
has  not  yet  removed  thither  :  that  the  Classis  have 
appointed  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cannon  to  instal  him  in  said 
congregation,  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Zabriskie  shall 
have  removed,  and  shall  request  the  same. 

3.  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Force  is  still  continued  as 
a  supply  in  the  congregation  of  Walpeck. 

4.  That  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism  is  regularly 
explained,  and  church  discipline  exercised  :  that  in 
all  the  congregations  under  their  care,  there  is  a 
regular  and  respectful  attendance  on  the  administra- 
tion of  the  word ;  and  in  most  of  them  a  greater 
or  less  number  of  individuals  under  awakenings  and 


13 

a  serious   concern  about  their  salvation,  and  con- 
siderable  additions  to  the  communion  of  the  church.; 

5.  That  the  Classis  feel  themselves  highly  grati- 
fied in  stating,  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  H,  Living- 
ston has  accepted  the  call  to  the  professorship  of 
Theology  in  Queen's  College,  has  removed  to  New- 
Brunswick,  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  of- 
fice.   

The  report  of  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie  was 
received,  but  afterwards  mislaid,  and  therefore  could 
not  be  inserted  in  the  synodical  minutes. 

ARTICLE    6. 

CLASSICAL  APPEALS. 

None. 

ARTICLE    7. 

CLASSICAL  REFERENCES. 

The  Classis  of  Paramus  submitted  the  following 
question  to  be  forwarded  through  the  medium  of 
this  Synod,  to  the  General  Synod  for  their  decision, 
viz.  **  Are  adult  persons,  living  within  the  bounds 
of  a  congregation,  who  have  been  initiated  by  the 
ordinance  of  baptism  in  infancy,  but  who  are  not 
members  in  full  communion,  to  be  considered  as 
subjects  of  discipline,  and  dealt  with  as  such  ?" 

The  following  propositions  were  submitted  to 
the  consideration  and  decision  of  this  Synod  by  the 
delegates  of  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie  :        * 

I.  That  no  infants,  but  the  children  of  those  pa- 
rents, one  of  whom  at  least  is  a  member  of  the 
church  in  full  communion,  shall  be  admitted  to 
baptism. 


14 

2.  That  some  effectual  and  decisive  measure  be 
adopted  to  discipline  those  persons  who  have  been 
admitted  into  the  church  in  infancy  by. baptism,  and 
who  lead  irregular  lives. 

3.  That  some  effectual  and  decisive  measure  be 
adopted  to  oblige  parents  to  bring  up  their  children 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

4.  That  persons  offering  themselves  for  church 
membership,  be  strictly  examined  as  to  their  know- 
ledge of  systematic,  practical,  and  experimental 
religion  ;  and  that  none  be  admitted  who  cannot 
give  satisfaction  in  such  examination ;  and  that  it 
be  furthermore  required  from  those  who  are  about 
to  be  admitted  to  communion,  to  observe  secret 
and  family  devotion. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Condict,  Rev.  Mn 
Eltinge,  with  the  Elder,  Mr.  Abraham  Voorhees, 
be  a  committee  to  report  sedente  synodi  on  said 
propositions,  who  submitted  the  following  report, 
which  was  adopted. 

That  in  their  opinion,  the  ground  on  which  in- 
fants are  to  be  admitted  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism, 
having  lately  been  fully  discussed  and  decided  by 
the  General  Synod,  the  first  resolution  cannot  with 
propriety  be  taken  up,  much  less  adopted  by  this 
Synod :  that  the  evils  and  difficulties  upon  this  sub- 
ject, evidently  great,  arise  from  a  lamentable  lax- 
ne^  of  discipline,  and  that  a  strict  compliance  with 
the  injunctions  and  directions  of  General  Synod 
upon  this  subject,  will,  perhaps,  be  the  best  reme 
dy  that  we  can  at  present  attempt  to  apply. 


/ 


15 

That  the  second  resolution  which  respects  the  ex- 
ercise of  discipline  toward  baptized  persons  who 
/  have  not  been  admitted  to  full  communion,  cannot 
'  at  present  with  propriety  be  discussed  or  adopted, 
as  a  question  embracing  this  subject  has  been  refer- 
red through  the  medium  of  this  Synod  to  the  Gen- 
eral Synod,  and  now  awaits  the  decision  of  the 
latter. 

That  with  respect  to  the  third  and  fourth  propos- 
ed resolutions,  the  existing  regulations  of  our 
church,  are,  as  your  committee  conceives,  suffi- 
cient to  enable  every  consistory  to  obtain,  as  far  as 
may  be,  the  desirable  ends  in  view  ;  and  that  nothing 
farther  is  incumbent  on  this  Synod  with  relation  to 
these  sucjects,  unless  it  be  to  exhort  those  minis- 
ters and  consistories,  who  are  negligent  in  these 
particulars,  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties 
which  are  already  required  of  them. 

ARTICLE    8. 

CHURCH  GOVERNMENT.  , 

Nothing  occurred  under  this  lemma.  \ 

ARTICLE    9.  J 

DOCTRINES  AND  MORALS.  / 

Under  this  lemma,  nothing  occurred. 

ARTICLE     10. 

CUSTOMS  AND  USUAGES. 

This  lemma  is  attended  to. 

ARTICLE    11. 

SCHOOLS  AND  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION. 

Upon  enquiry  from  the  Chair,  it  appeared  that 
the  plan  recommended  by  the  General  Synod  of 


16 
1809,  had  been  adopted  by  some  of  the  classes  com 
posing  this  Synod.       Adjourned  until  to-morrow, 
10  o'clock,   A.  M. 
Closed  with  prayer. 

Wednesday,  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 
Opened  with  prayer. 

ARTICLE    12. 

PROFESSORATE. 

The  committee  on  this  lemma  brought  in  the 
following  report,  which  was  accepted. 

That  the  permanent  Professor  having  removed  to 
New-Brunswick,  opened  th€  Theological  school ; 
and  having  at  present  five  students  under  his  care, 
your  committee  deem  it  highly  important  that  Sy- 
nod should  enquire  whether  the  churches  in  the  state 
of  New- York  have  attended  to  the  collection  for  the 
erection  of  the  Professoral  Hall,  and  urge  the  at- 
tention of  the  delinquents  to  this  subject. 

Resolved,  That  the  classes  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  this  Synod  enjoin  it  on  those  consistories  which 
have  not  yet  made  collections  for  the  Professoral 
Hall,  to  attend  to  the  injunction  of  Synod  on  this 
subject  without  delay. 

ARTICLE    13. 

STUDENTS  IN  THEOLOGY. 

This  lemma  is  complied  with. 

ARTICLE    14. 

STRICT  EXAMINATIONS. 

Ordered,  That  the  injunction  of  Synod  on  this 
subject  be  strictly  attended  to. 


17 

ARTICLE     15. 

SUBSCRIBING  OF  THE  FORMULA. 
This  lemma  is  attended  to. 

ARTICLE    16. 

CHURCH  VISITATION. 

The  substitute  for  church  visitation,  recommend- 
ed by  the  Synod,  has  been  adopted,  and  is  acted 
upon  by  all  the  Classes,  excepting  the  Classis  of 
Poughkeepsie,  which  had  not  attended  to  it  for 
want  of  information  on  the  subject ;  which  informa- 
tion was  requested  from  Synod,  and  granted. 

ARTICLE     17. 

PREVAILING  SINS. 

The  committee  on  this  lemma  brought  in  the  fol- 
lowing report,  which  was  accepted. 

That  so  far  as  they  can  gather  from  the  repre- 
sentation of  the  churches,  the  state  of  morals  and 
the  prevalence  of  sins,  differ  very  little  from  the 
last  reports  of  Synod  on  this  subject.  We  have 
still  abundant  reason  to  mourn  the  progress  of  prac- 
tical infidelity,  and  of  immoral  habits,  which  con- 
tinue to  destroy  the  beauty  of  our  Zion,  and  grieve 
the  hearts  of  her  children. 

Your  committee  deem  it  unnecessary  to  enter  into 
a  particular  detail  of  those  sins  which  continue  to 
prevail :  suffice  it  to  say,  they  are  such  as  call  loud- 
ly and  imperiously  for  the  active  exertions  of  every 
individual  of  this  Body,  and  every  friend  to  religion 
and  human  happiness.  We  do  therefore  beg  leave 
to  suggest, 


.     18 

1.  That  the  members  of  this  Synod  be  respect- 
fully exhorted  to  enforce  every  laudable  mean  of 
counteracting  and  suppressing  vice  and  immorality 
which  may  prevail  within  their  sphere  of  action. 

2.  That  every  eflbrt   be  used  to   excite  magis- 
/trates,  and  influential  members  of  society  by  their 

example  and  influence,  to  suppress  and  discounte- 
nance the  practices  of  iniquity. 

Finally  :   We  hope  and  pray  that  the  Great  Jeho- 

\  vah,  who  is  the  guardian  of  his  church  and  people, 

'  will  hear  their  prayers,  in  wrath  remember  mercy, 

and  hasten  on  the  glorious  day  when  the   kingdom 

of  satan  shall   be    destroyed,  and  the  kingdom  of 

the  Redeemer  rise  upon  its  ruins. 

ARTICLE     18. 

MISSIONS. 

The  committee  on  Missions  reported  as  follows  : 
That  they  have  no  documents  before  them  so  as 
to  present  any  thing  concerning  the  Missionary  bu- 
siness at  all  interesting  to  the  Synod  ;  except  a  let- 
ter from  John  N.  Bleeker,  to  the  Ministers  and  El- 
ders of  the  Particular  Synod,  enclosing  an  account 
of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  committee 
of  Missions  between  the  25th  of  April,  1810,  and 
24th  April,  1811 — From  which  it  appears,  that 
there  is  a  balance  of  387  dollars  44  cents  due  the 
committee. 

Your  committee  rejoice  that  something  consider- 
able has  been  done  already  in  the  Missionary  busi- 
ness.    And  as  it  is  indispensably  necessary  that  the 


19 
Missionary  fund  be   regularly  replenished  by  the 
contributions  of  our  congregations,  they  would  re- 
commend,  together  with  the  injunctions  upon  con- 
gregations to  make  yearly  collections,  the  publica-    ■ 
tion  of  such  parts  of  the  Missionary  transactions  of 
our  church  as  will  give   the  congregations  a  better 
view  of  the  subject :  this  will  make  the  delinquent 
congregations   acquainted  with  the   nature  of  this 
business,  and  show  them  what  other  congregations 
have  done.     Without  this  your  committee  are  ap- 
apprehensive  that  any  call  upon   several   congrega- 
tions for  collections  will  be  in  vain. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  deem  the  reasons  as-^ 
signed  by  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie  for  discon-  \ 
tinning  their  annual  Missionary  collections  to  be  I 
unsatisfactory,  and  that  they  therefore  be  enjoined  / 
to  renew  them  immediately.  ^ 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock,   r.  m. 
Closed  with  prayer. 

Wednesday,  3  o'clock,   p.  m. 
Opened  with  prayer. 

ARTICLE    19. 

WIDOWS'  FUND. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  this  lemma  be 
served  with  a  sy nodical  notice  to  attend  to  the  ob- 
ject of  their  commission  ;  and  that  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Kuypers,  and  the  Elder,  Mr.  Post,  be  added  to 
said  committee. 


20 

ARTICLE    20. 

SYNODICAL  INJUNCTIONS. 

Upon  enquiry  from  the  Chair,  it  appeared  that 
the  Classes  of  Paramus  and  Poughkeepsie  had  at- 
tended to  the  injunction  of  this  Synod  in  regard  to 
the  new  plan  for  organizing  the  General  Synod,  re- 
commended in  their  session  of  1809,  and  approved 
of  the  same. 

The  Classes  of  New- York,  Bergen,  and  New- 
Brunswick,  which  had  not,  for  various  reasons,  at- 
tended to  the  injunction  of  Synod  on  this  subject, 
were  directed  to  report  their  opinion  at  the  next  or- 
dinary session  of  this  Synod. 

ARTICLE    21. 

DEPUTATI  SYNODL 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  Deputati 
Synodi : 

FOR  THE  CLASSIS  OF  XEW^YORK. 

Rev.  Thomas  G,  Smithy  Primarius. 
Rev.  Stephen  N.  Roxvan,  Secundus. 

FOR  THE  CLASSIS  OF  BERGEN. 

Rev.  Henry  Polhemus,  Primarius. 
Rev^  John  Duryea^  Secundus. 

FOR  TME  CLASSIS  OF  PARAMUS. 

Rev.  James  Demarest,  Primarius. 
Rev,  Wilhelmus  Eltinge^  Secundus. 

FOR  THE  CLASSIS  OF  XEW-BRUNSWICK. 

Rev.  Cornelius  T,  Demarest^  Primarius, 

Rev.  Peter  Labn.^K   SecMndus. 


21 

FOR  THE  CLASSIS  OF  POUGHKEEPSIE. 

Rev.  Cornelius  C.  Cuyler,  Primarius. 
Rev.  Andrew  JV,  Kittle,  Secundus. 

ARTICLE    22. 

PARTICULARIA. 

The  following  communication  was  laid  before  the 
Synod  from  the  Cla  sis  of  Paramus  : 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  of  the  consistory 
of  Paramus  to  the  Classis  of  Paramus,  be  instruct- 
ed to  request  the  said  Classis  to  forward  to  the  Par- 
ticular  Synod  of  New-York,  at  their  next  session 
in  May,  a  request  by  their  delegates  to  said  Synod, 
requesting  them  to  devise  some  general  form  of  pe- 
tition  to  be  recommended  to,  and  circulated  for  sub- 
scription throughout  the  Dutch  congregations  in 
the  states  of  New- Jersey  and  New-York,  and  to  be 
forwarded  to  the  Legislatures  of  said  states,  pray- 
ing for  an  amendment  to  the  law  for  granting  licen- 
ces to  inn-keepers,  and  for  affixing  a  penalty  on  all 
inn-holders,  who  shall  allow  frolicking  to  be  carried 
on  in  their  taverns  or  out-houses ;  and  that  it  be 
suggested  to  the  Particular  Synod  whether  it  would 
not  be  advisable  to  solicit  the  concurrence  of  other 
Christian  churches  ? — Classis  resolved.  That  said 
request  be  granted,  and  that  the  delegates  to  Parti- 
cular Synod  attend  to  the  same. 

Synod  resolved.  That  the  above  communication 
be  forwarded  by  their  delegates  to  the  General  Sy- 
nod. 


22 

ARTICLE    23. 

QUESTORATE. 

The  Questor  laid  upon  the  table  a  statement  of 
his  accounts,  from  which  it  appeared,  that  there  is 
in  his  hands  a  balance  of  166  dollars  22  cents  in  fa- 
vour of  the  missionary  fund  ;  and  a  balance  of  15 
dollars  53  cents  in  favour  of  the  contingent  fund. 

The  Stated  Clerk  and  Door-keeper,  presented 
their  accounts,  which  were  ordered  to  be  paid. 

Ordered,  That  the  sum  of  10  dollars  each,  be 
paid  to  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Rowan,  Cujder,  and  Ved- 
der  ;  and  the  Elders,  Messrs.  Schenck  and  Ham, 
for  defraying  their  expences  in  attending  the  Parti- 
cular Synod  of  Albany. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk,  Questor,  and 
Door-keeper,  be  continued  in  their  respective  of- 
fices. 

Resolved  moreover.  That  the  Stated  Clerk  cause 
one  hundred  copies  of  the  Acts  of  this  Synod  to  be 
printed,  and  proportionally  distributed  among  the 
respective  classes  composing  this  Body. 

ARTICLE    24. 

DELEGATES  TO  GENERAL  SYNOD. 

Nothing  occurred  under  this  lemma. 

ARTICLE    25. 

DELEGATES  TO  THE  PARTICULAR  SY- 
T,  NOD  OF  ALBANY. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Duryea, 
and  Andrew  N.  Kittle  ;  with  the  Elders,  Messrs. 
Elias  Hubbard,  and  Anthony  Post,  be  delegated  to 


23 
represent  this  Synod  in  the  next  Particular  Synod 
of  Albany. 

ARTICLE    26. 

INSTRUCTIONS  TO  DELEGATES. 

Resolved,  That  our  delegates  to  the  next  Gene- 
ral Synod  be  instructed  to  obtain  from  that  Body, 
the  printing  of  all  those  Rules  and  Church  Orders, 
which  have  been  adopted  since  the  year  1792  ;  and 
the  forwarding  them  when  printed  to  all  the  churches 
imder  their  care. 

And  also,  That  they  request  said  Synod  to  cause 
such  parts  of  the  proceedings  of  the  committee  of 
Missions  to  be  made  public,  as  may  be  necessary 
to  inform  the  Church  in  general  of  the  state  of  our 
missionary  business. 

ARTICLE    27. 

ADJOURNMENT. 

Resolved,  That  the  next  ordinary  meeting  of  this 
Synod  be  held  in  the  city  of  New- York,  on  the 
first  Tuesday  in  May,   1812. 

CLOSE  OF  THE  SYNOD. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  minutes  being  read  and  approved,  the  Synod 

was  concluded  with  prayer  by  the  President. 

JOHN  SCHUREMAN,  President. 

PETER  LOWE,  Vice-President. 

ANDREW N.  KITTLE,       ?  p,    , 

WILHELMUS  ELTINGE,\     ^''^^' 

(A  TRUE  COPY.) 
Attest^ 

GERARDUSA.  KUYPERS, 

Stated  Clerk. 


'•a^l 


ERRATA. 

Page  6,  4th  line  from  top— for  with  regard  tOy  \£fc,  read  of. 


PHOTOMOUNT 
PAMPHLET  BINDER 

ManufacturtJ  by 
GAYLORD  BROS.  In«. 
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Acts  of  the  particular  synod  of  New  York 

^1?.","  n:.I.'^°!°?,'e^'  Semmary-Speer  Library 


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